NIL Insurance

Core coverages at a glance

How NIL insurance works (the basics)

1. Establish your baseline
   We document NIL/endorsement income (offers, signed agreements, incentives) and, for prospects, a reasonable consensus of draft projections.
2. Underwriting review
   Carriers review medical history and prior significant injuries. Institutions/collectives share agreement language and rosters where applicable.
3. Quote & options
   We calibrate limits and riders (PTD, loss-of-value, critical injury; DD&D terms for programs).
4. Issue & renew
   Policies are typically annual. Limits may adjust if income, projections, or obligations change.

Tip: Preseason is best. Revisit near combine/pro day or before single-event games (bowls, showcases).

What underwriters look for (typical checklist)

• Executed NIL/endorsement agreements (base + incentives) or signed offers
• Proof of income where applicable (W-9/1099)
• Medical history and treating physician letters for major prior injuries
• For schools/collectives: agreement language defining services, roster/census, exposure profile, compliance contact

Costs: what drives pricing

Premiums reflect the insurable value, sport/position, medical history, definitions/terms, and selected limits/riders. We’ll outline scenarios so you see how structure impacts price—and where dollars buy the most protection.

When to start (timelines that work)

• Preseason (4–8 weeks out): establish baseline, submit medicals, quote limits.
• In-season: update limits if income changes; consider single-event coverage 10–14 days before marquee games.
• Draft window: validate projections, keep medical disclosures consistent, revisit limits if stock rises.
• Offseason: annual review; adjust to new contracts or obligations.

Real-world scenarios (what coverage can change)

• QB knee injury, projection drops: PTD for career-ending outcomes; loss-of-value to address the contract gap after a qualifying injury.
• Star winger, season-ending fracture: critical injury benefit for the season; annual review for next year’s limits.
• Collective reputational risk: DD&D aligned to agreement language and conduct clauses.

FAQs

What counts as a “career-ending” injury?

A “Permanent Total Disability” injury is determined by an orthopedic surgeon, and usually involves surgery within a specified time frame that prevents an athlete from competing again in their respective sport. If an athlete attempts to compete after their PTD, they could forfeit their lump sum payment from the insurance carrier.

Can coverage change if my NIL grows next season?

Each policy is a year-to-year plan and will be re-evaluated and underwritten each season. In some cases, if an athlete has an exceptional year, their NIL deal may increase, and the amount of coverage may need to be increased. In some circumstances, an athlete may not live up to their expectations and their NIL income may decrease, thus forcing the insurance carrier to reevaluate the amount of projected income to insure.

When should I start?

Preseason is best. For single-event coverage, begin 10–14 days out. Reassess near combine/pro day.

Do schools/collectives use the same definitions as athletes?

Not always. “Own-occupation” rarely applies to collective-owned obligations; we align DD&D terms to the agreement.

Our promise

Clarity first, then coverage. We build policies around real contracts, real timelines, and real outcomes, so protection works the way your season does.